A Great Good Place for Books might have to rebrand itself as A Great Good Place for Books and People. Thanks to a friendly, sociable staff and owner, this small Montclair bookstore in the East Bay is a great place to visit if you're looking for some good company. (6120 La Salle Avenue, Montclair. http://www.ggpbooks.com/)

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession

A Great Good Place for Books might have to rebrand itself as A...

A Great Good Place for Books might have to rebrand itself as A... Photo-5213654.82087 - SFGate

Image 2 of 27 | Alley Cat Books

Alley Cat Books in the Mission embraces the neighborhood's Hispanic roots by selling both English and Spanish-language books. (3036 24th Street, San Francisco. http://www.alleycatbookshop.com/)

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Alley Cat Books in the Mission embraces the neighborhood's Hispanic...

Once located in North Berkeley at Shattuck Avenue, Black Oak Books relocated westward to San Pablo Avenue in 2009. Taking over what used to be a night club, the new Black Oaks Books building has 30 percent more space than the old building. (2618 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley. http://www.blackoakbooks.com/)

Photo: John McMurtrie, The Chronicle

Once located in North Berkeley at Shattuck Avenue, Black Oak Books...

Once located in North Berkeley at Shattuck Avenue, Black Oak Books... Photo-5183354.82087 - SFGate

Image 5 of 27 | Bookshop West Portal

Bookshop West Portal is a small San Francisco neighborhood bookstore favorited by many of its local residents. (80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco. http://www.bookshopwestportal.com/)

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession

Bookshop West Portal is a small San Francisco neighborhood...

Bookshop West Portal is a small San Francisco neighborhood... Photo-2804602.82087 - SFGate

Image 6 of 27 | Booksmith

Wedged between two apartments in the Haight, Booksmith is a charming bookstore with many author events and a very friendly staff. (1644 Haight Street, San Francisco. http://www.booksmith.com/)

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Wedged between two apartments in the Haight, Booksmith is a...

Wedged between two apartments in the Haight, Booksmith is a... Photo-6031904.82087 - SFGate

Christopher's Books is the neighborhood bookstore for Potrero Hill residents. Opened in 1901, Christopher's is a historic institution that continues to charm old and new customers, locals and visitors alike. (1400 18th Street, San Francisco. http://christophersbooks.com/)

There's no bookstore in the Bay Area more famous than City Lights. As the bookstore that helped publish Allen Ginsberg's magnus opus, "Howl," City Lights is a literary landmark in San Francisco. (261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco. http://www.citylights.com/)

There's no bookstore in the Bay Area more famous than City Lights....

There's no bookstore in the Bay Area more famous than City... Photo-4410412.82087 - SFGate

Image 10 of 27 | Dark Carnival Bookstore

If you are looking for fantasy or science fiction books, look no further than Dark Carnival Bookstore in the Claremont neighborhood by Berkeley. (3086 Claremont Avenue, Berkeley.http://www.darkcarnival.com/)

Photo: John McMurtrie, The Chronicle

If you are looking for fantasy or science fiction books, look no...

If you are looking for fantasy or science fiction books, look no... Photo-5183348.82087 - SFGate

Image 11 of 27 | Dog Eared Books

On the corner of 20th and Valencia Streets, Dog Eared Books is a tiny Mission-based bookstore that's been a local favorite since 1992. (900 Valencia Street, San Francisco. http://www.dogearedbooks.com/)

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession

On the corner of 20th and Valencia Streets, Dog Eared Books is a...

On the corner of 20th and Valencia Streets, Dog Eared Books is a... Photo-5213645.82087 - SFGate

Image 12 of 27 | Forest Books

Located in Japantown, Forest Books specializes in East Asian art, culture, and spirituality. (1748 Buchanan Street, San Francisco. http://www.forestbooks.net/#!)

Photo: Penni Gladstone

Located in Japantown, Forest Books specializes in East Asian art,...

Located in Japantown, Forest Books specializes in East Asian art,... Photo-2667487.82087 - SFGate

Image 13 of 27 | Green Apple Books

Green Apple Books perennially ranks as one of the best bookstores in San Francisco by other outlets and blogs. If you do visit, make sure to check out the library-like second floor. (506 Clement Street, San Francisco http://greenapplebooks.com/; They recently opened a second location at 1231 Ninth Street in the Inner Sunset.)

Photo: Thomas Winz, Lonely Planet Images Via Getty Images

Green Apple Books perennially ranks as one of the best bookstores...

Green Apple Books perennially ranks as one of the best bookstores... Photo-4864038.82087 - SFGate

Image 14 of 27 | Isotope Comics

If you've ever visited Isotope Comics at Hayes Valley, you've probably encountered the bookstore's owner James Sime. Known for his passion for comic books, and eye-catching suits, James elevates Isotope as one of the most memorable Bay Area bookstores. (326 Fell Street, San Francisco. http://www.isotopecomics.com/)

Kayo Books is more than just a regular bookstore; it's a mini-museum, preserving the ethos of pulp fiction, sci-fi, sleaze, and pop culture genres from the 1960s and 1970s. (814 Post Street, San Francisco. http://www.kayobooks.com/)

Photo: Chris Hardy, SFC

Kayo Books is more than just a regular bookstore; it's a...

Kayo Books is more than just a regular bookstore; it's a... Photo-6031932.82087 - SFGate

For Latin American or Caribbean literature, Libros Latinos is your... Photo-5247085.82087 - SFGate

Image 17 of 27 | Linden Tree Books

Linden Tree Books in Los Altos is a must-visit for anyone with little kids With a plethora of children's books, the bookstore can provide a fun family experience for all age groups. (265 State Street, Los Altos. http://www.lindentreebooks.com/)

Forever memorialized in the movie "The Graduate," Moe's Books in Berkeley is a historic institution in the campus town. Located on Telegraph Avenue, Moe's provide four floors of books from every genre. (2476 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley.http://www.moesbooks.com/)

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Forever memorialized in the movie "The Graduate," Moe's Books in...

Forever memorialized in the movie "The Graduate,"... Photo-1874740.82087 - SFGate

Image 19 of 27

Book Passage has not one but two stores — one in Marin and one in S.F. — and not only stocks its shelves with great books, but brings in many, many authors for readings. (Book Passage Marin, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera; Book Passage San Francisco, 1 Ferry Building, S.F. http://www.bookpassage.com/)

Photo: Kurt Rogers, The Chronicle

Book Passage has not one but two stores — one in Marin and one in...

Book Passage has not one but two stores — one in Marin and one in... Photo-5213669.82087 - SFGate

Image 20 of 27 | Mrs. Dalloway's

Tucked away in Berkeley's quaint Elmwood neighborhood, next to Elmwood Cafe on College Avenue, Mrs. Dalloway's bookstore sells many varieties of books, most notably in garden arts. (2904 College Avenue, Berkeley. http://www.mrsdalloways.com/)

Located in Point Reyes Station, Point Reyes Books has plenty of small town charm and hosts various community events. (11315 State Route 1, Point Reyes Station. http://www.ptreyesbooks.com/)

Photo: Paul Chinn, SFC

Located in Point Reyes Station, Point Reyes Books has plenty of...

Located in Point Reyes Station, Point Reyes Books has plenty of... Photo-5246667.82087 - SFGate

Image 22 of 27 | Revolution Books

Berkeley wouldn't be Berkeley without some Marxist literature, would it? Revolution Books continues to keep the anti-capitalist, political activist spirit, which gave Berkeley its famous stereotype from the 1960s, alive into the 21st century. (2425 Channing Way, Berkeley. http://www.revolutionbooks.org/)

Russian Hill Bookstore is not only a great visit for its selection of books, but the Polk Street bookstore sells a wide range of gift cards, stationaries, and board games, too. (2234 Polk Street, San Francisco. http://www.russianhillbookstore.com/)

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Russian Hill Bookstore is not only a great visit for its selection...

Russian Hill Bookstore is not only a great visit for its selection... Photo-5213699.82087 - SFGate

Image 24 of 27 | Stinson Beach Books

If you ever drive to Stinson Beach, make sure to stop by Stinson Beach Books. The only bookstore in town, Stinson Beach Books exudes a coastal, small-town feel through its wooden facade. (3455 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach.)

Photo: Laura Morton, Special To The Chronicle

If you ever drive to Stinson Beach, make sure to stop by Stinson...

If you ever drive to Stinson Beach, make sure to stop by Stinson... Photo-5183356.82087 - SFGate

Image 25 of 27 | Valhalla Books

The exterior facade of Valhalla Books won't impress the casual pedestrian, but once inside, the Mission-based bookstore displays an eclectic range of used and new fiction books. (2141 Mission Street, San Francisco.)

Diesel, A Bookstore has been serving readers in Oakland since 1989 with everything from kids' books to fiction to author readings. There's also a location in Larkspur. (5433 College Ave., Oakland; 2419 Larkspur Landing Circle Larkspur)

Photo: Tim Hussin, Special To The Chronicle

Diesel, A Bookstore has been serving readers in Oakland since 1989...

Diesel, A Bookstore has been serving readers in Oakland since 1989... Photo-6583455.82087 - SFGate

Image 27 of 27

Located in the Castro, Aardvark Books might be the quintessential Bay Area independent bookstore: narrow hallways with towering bookshelves on both sides, an incredible array of affordable used and new books, devoted staff, and yes, even a cat. (227 Church Street, San Francisco)

Located in the Castro, Aardvark Books might be the quintessential...

Located in the Castro, Aardvark Books might be the quintessential... Photo-5247121.82087 - SFGate